8 of the Best Niche Fragrances for Winter
Words by Jennifer George
These days there are no strict rules when it comes to fragrance. Want to layer them? Go ahead. Think gourmands are only for Gen Z? Think again. Florals for men? Absolutely. And with that in mind, if you want to wear the same scent 365 days a year, please, be our guest.
There are, however, some notes and blends that naturally lend themselves to winter wear. Shorter days call for cosy and warm fragrances, while party season can handle those scents that are heavier and a little spicier.
So, if you’re up for swapping in something winter-worthy this season, here are some stunning, niche scents that are perfect for the job.
The Harmonist Oud Nebula
The deep and alluring note of oud that easily wraps itself around you like a cloak makes it the dream ingredient for a winter scent. Here it’s paired with luxurious leather and spicy sandalwood, sweetened with a hint of tonka too. The result is rich without being overly heavy, perfect if you’re looking for something that makes a subtle statement when wafting from your cosiest cashmere jumper.
Bond No.9 Gold Street
New York is perhaps one of the most romantic places to visit during the winter months, all sparkling lights and snug bars. So this scent, inspired by a small street in the big city, is well placed to become a seasonal go to: leathery, bold and woody lifted with some pink pepper. If you can’t make it to the city that never sleeps this season, this might go a little way towards getting a taste of it.
Roja Parfum Lost in Paris
It’s a close call as to whether Paris might trump New York as the most magical city to visit during the winter, but going by this perfume, Roja seems to think Paris would win. Blended to give a ‘glimpse into the glitterati of Parisian high society’, it’s an ode to Michelin-starred meals and opulent experiences - a fragrance almost good enough to eat. Caramelised oranges mingle with vanilla bourbon, with the addition of ambergris preventing things from getting too sweet. It’s about as gorgeous and grand as a gourmand fragrance gets.
Bvlgari Le Gemme Tygar
Named in homage to the mystical Indian stone Tiger’s Eye, this scent is blended to evoke strength, courage and power — which, let’s be honest, many of us need to get through the cold winter months. Rather than selling itself with in-your-face notes, it relies on a clever blend of bright ginger, grapefruit, and rich ambroxan to leave an uplifting and mesmerising finish on the skin.
Strangelove A Fire Within Eau
If your main stipulation for a winter fragrance is that it must be wonderfully warm, then you probably can’t beat this scent which not only smells warm, but is also based on the concept of lighting a fire within yourself too, encouraging inner strength and passion. Vanilla provides a comforting start, swiftly followed by some bold and energizing incense. Cedarwood then bolsters things whilst chamomile adds a hint of peace and calm. This perfume aims to be more than just a passing spritz, but instead a transformative elixir.
Maison Margiela By The Fireplace
If a fire within isn’t winter-y enough for you, how about a full-blown, wood-filled fireplace? Incredibly cosy yet complex, the scent screams of roasting chestnuts, crackling kindling and glimpses of snowfall through a frosted window. But how? By blending notes of guaiac wood, cashmeran and clove oil alongside chestnut notes and vanilla, which together create the clear picture of a roaring fire on a winter’s evening.
Fragrance Du Bois Cannabis Blue
If you need a little help mustering energy in this sunlight-lacking season, try this invigorating yet rich scent, which plays with a unique but genius mix of notes to create something surprising and special. The star of the show is the brand’s own cannabis accord - green and slightly smoky - which is matched with vibrant eucalyptus and aromatic cardamom. More spices, er, spice things up, while oud and cedarwood add warmth, a final touch of grapefruit delivers a sharp twist. The result is truly one of a kind, without being overtly ‘challenging’.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian 175 Anniversary Edition Reflets d’ambre
Created exclusively to celebrate Harrods’ 175th anniversary, this fragrance works beautifully all year round but really shows off in the winter months. Radiant and bold, it’s a celebration of amber in all its glory. A master of perfumery, Kurkdjian interprets the famed ingredient in a wonderfully layered way using spicy pink peppercorn, bucolic and soft jasmine grandiflorum, comforting sweet vanilla and earthy patchouli. The result is sparkling and bright - a brilliant way to carry on the feeling of festive cheer right through to spring.
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